ORIGIN

Subtle Muscle: 1965 Olds Cutlass 442 Convertible

This 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 convertible is described as great-running driver, with a Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R replacing the original 2-speed Jetaway unit. These 442s are understated as muscle cars go but still pack a punch, thanks to their 400-inch V-8s, and offer a rarer alternative to a Pontiac GTO. Find this one here on eBay in Braselton, Georgia with bidding below reserve and a $15.5k Buy-it-Now.

The previous owner reportedly repaired rust in the trunk floor and rear quarter panels according to the seller, who added that the floors are solid, with no visible rust issues. The car was repainted in its original color some years ago and the lacquer finish is said to be showing some spider-webbing, though it’s not apparent in the photos.

The interior is believed to be original, except for the carpet, and appears to be in good condition. There is a crack in the dash pad but a refurbished pad and glovebox door are included in the sale. Options on the car include factory A/C, power steering, power brakes, power driver’s seat, remote trunk release and tilt steering wheel.

The wire wheel covers seem incongruous on a muscle car but are an original option. Additional work done by the previous owner included new brakes, new front suspension, new shocks, new top motor and pump, new fuel tank and recored radiator. In addition, the steering box was rebuilt. The car comes with many restoration parts as well as the original components that were replaced (transmission, A/C compressor, carburetor).

Though not a pristine example, and the lack of engine and chassis photos raises some flags, we like the idea of a basically stock, driver-quality muscle car that could be used as-is. If it checks out, it could be an enjoyable buy.

I agree with everyone that this is a great buy. The parts that are included in this car indicate to me that this owner was going to keep it for the long haul and for some reason has decided to let her go. Making money on this car does not appear to be his intent so this is a very fair price for a 442 ragtop if it all checks out. Despite this car not having power windows, it is loaded. BAT deal of the day. Jump on it!

BaT certainly mentions the caveats. You’d have to check the metal-repairs and such; but a nicely optioned (A/C), good-colors car like this, etc. is a nice find for the BIN. I wish the person who swapped the tranny had gone for a manual though.

I was told by the previous owner that when he bought the car, he bought it from the second owner. The original owner was the Olds dealer in Olney, Illinois. He bought it for his wife and she drove it until she was no longer physically able.

Interesting the way this car was ordered. Muted color. Automatic, air, tilt, power steering, brakes and seat. Wire covers. Special order for a more mature customer maybe. Dealer or his wifes demo? Had to be a pretty pricey Cutlass in 1965.

Let’s see….this car, or it’s slightly MORE expensive “sister” featured a few days ago, the ’63 Tempest?

Seriously? Is there any question?

The colors don’t help this car (it almost looks like it was painted with “leftover” battleship grey paint), but I would forgive it since it would make the inevitable speeding tickets a little fewer and far between.

Terrific vintage ride, but the one tiny glimpse of the engine bay in the eBay photos makes one really want to see the rest of it. The firewall in that photo looks like it is covered with something like silt. Also some shots looking down the sides would be good so one could see any evidence of body work in those areas.

That first half-step in ’64 was a snore — basically a 330 V8-based cop package packed into four-door sedans. As I remember, the ads even showed cops in the car. Kind of a “now you, too, can have what we used to sell only to the sheriff” message. Not a very compelling strategy.

But, smacked by the GTO’s success, Olds looked deeper into its performance heriatge and got smart real fast. From ’65 on, they were formidable cars. And in ’66, when they offered the three deuces option(Tri-Carb, aka Pontiac’s Tri-Power)… wow.

I think you’re correct, Balzac, but it didn’t take long for the marketing department to deep six that restrictive appellation. The name was conjured in 1964 when the original 442 was a response to the GTO’s success, but came with the 330 CID V-8.

I’m betting this is the same gentleman that sold my buddy is 72 442 convertible. It was also accurately described and lived up to the description. He’s got a lot of cars and he was thinning his collection of the ones that were slightly modified from stock for better drivability. I like this car and if it wasn’t just out of my budget, I’d call him and go look.

In 1964, the first year of the 442, it did stand for 4 barrel, 4 on the floor, and dual exhaust. But in 1965, they decided to change this to 400, 4 barrel, and dual exhaust. As an owner of a ’64, I am always amazed how they are undervalued when compared to GTO’s, and the like. Nice car…

200-4r is a nice upgrade. It has a really tall OD gear for freeway cruising and is about the length of a Powerglide so it doesn’t require shortening the driveshaft like a 700R4. Just swap for a TH400 crossmember and you’re good to go. I’m looking for one to replace the TH350 currently in our recently acquired 1960 Nomad to hopefully bump MPGs into the high teens somewhere.

I had a 66 4dr. cutlass with a 400 and 2speed auto for a short time when I was younger. It was a freebie & my friends & I beat it mercilessly. It would do over 70mph in first gear. We all thought that was very impressive. If this car is as clean as it appears it looks like solid buy and an excellent South Beach cruiser.

I was a car nut even as a child. We were an Olds family so my interests leaned to anything from the Olds division. The 1st 4-4-2 I ever saw was pratically a twin to this one. I used to ride by on my Schwinn Sting Ray hoping it was sitting outside to I could stop and look at it. The lady who owned it was very understanding. When my grandfather came to visit in his new 64 GTO I thought it was a cool car..but not as cool as that ladies 4-4-2.

The 442 was always the best ‘driving’ of the GM intermediates. They had rear sway bars, differently valved shocks, and I’m told, even higher durometer suspension bushings. The materials in the interior were on par with Pontiac, and heavier than Chevrolet. They had more insulation and sealer than either. Nice cars. This appears to be a pretty nice example at a reasonable price for a ragtop. From the one photo of the body tag, I would bet that its complete and functional, but nasty, under the hood. As well as probably under the car. Looks like a great car though that one could clean up at will whilst hitting the cruise nights in the meantime and enjoying. The automatic hurts it, but hey, in a convertible, it works. Like.

Not really a sleeper back in the day if. like me, you were in high school and drooled over muscle cars. Then, for me and my ilk, the little “442” badges might as well have been 3 feet wide and neon-lit.

If the underside looks as good as the shiny side, and the mechanicals are solid, this could be a very good buy. Always liked the first-gen 442s. Less flash than the GTOs and Chevelles of the day, a mature person’s muscle car. And 345 HP for about $150 was a pretty good deal.

Must give seller credit — what he lacks in photos, he (almost) makes up for with an informative, coherent description. Punctuated and caps, even.

I like all the spares that go along with it. Clearly, this is one you could enjoy every day while you gradually work away at the small stuff.